BLM
We just dealt a major blow to BLM’s wild horse eradication plan
The following is from the American Wild Horse Conservation:
After 14 years of legal battles, we’ve achieved an important milestone: The U.S. Court of Appeals just ruled that the Bureau of Land Management’s (BLM) plan to eradicate wild horses from more than 2 million acres of public lands in Wyoming was arbitrary, capricious, and unlawful.
This would be the largest attempted wild horse eradication in U.S. history — and thanks to our litigation, it’s been reined in.
But this isn’t a slam dunk. While the court decision is a powerful check on the BLM’s overreach, the appellate court sent the case back to the lower court, and the agency could try to remedy the legal violations and attempt to remove all the Checkerboard horses again.
This means the fight isn’t over. The wild horses of the Salt Wells Creek, Adobe Town and Great Divide Basin Herd Management areas need us to be ready to continue advocating for them.
| Photo by Kimerlee Curyl |
| FUEL OUR LITIGATION |
We must hold the government accountable — in every place it’s putting our wild herds at risk. That means continuing to invest in expert legal work, strategic advocacy, and grassroots organizing.
Your support is what makes this possible. If you are able to today, please make a donation to fuel the ongoing legal fight for Wyoming’s wild horses and wild horses and burros across the West.
| DONATE NOW |
This court ruling affirms what we’ve long said: the BLM is breaking the law. Now it’s on us to make sure they stop. Join us, and together, we can make a difference for our wild herds.
For the wild ones,
Suzanne Roy, Executive Director of AWHC
Tell Congress: Support the Wild Horse and Burro Protection Act!
The following is from the American Wild Horse Conservation:
We have exciting news to share! Today, U.S. Representative Dina Titus (D-NV), alongside Reps. Steve Cohen (D-TN) and Juan Ciscomani (R-AZ), co-chairs of the bipartisan Wild Horse Caucus, introduced the Wild Horse and Burro Protection Act of 2025, a groundbreaking bill that would reform the cruel and costly federal wild horse program.
This legislation calls for:
A phase-out of helicopter roundups within two years
The immediate installation of cameras on helicopters to bring long-overdue transparency to BLM operations
A Government Accountability Office (GAO) investigation into humane alternatives, including how they could create new jobs and reduce harm to wild horses
These reforms are urgently needed. Just last summer, AWHC observers documented a BLM contractor kicking and punching a collapsed wild horse. If we hadn’t been there, the cruelty would’ve remained hidden. Cameras will ensure the public sees what happens behind the scenes.
| TAKE ACTION |
This bill reflects the power of your voice — more than 100,000 of you have signed our Halt the Helicopters petition, and 64,000 have demanded cameras on helicopters used for roundups. Now, Congress is listening.
Take Action now and ask your Member of Congress to cosponsor this important legislation.
Let’s keep the momentum going. Together, we can protect our wild horses and build a future where cruelty is no longer the cost of management.
— The AWHC Team
From Fragile Foal to Thriving Survivor — Thanks to You
The following is from the American Wild Horse Conservation:
Two months ago, a very special wild foal named Creedence celebrated his second birthday — something that once seemed impossible. Will you help give more foals like Creedence a second chance?
Creedence was born on Nevada’s Virginia Range in March 2023. Just hours after his birth, he was found collapsed on the ground. He was too weak to stand and dangerously close to death. He hadn’t nursed, and time was running out.
Photo: Creedence was rescued and rushed to Comstock Equine Hospital.
Thanks to the incredible local groups — Wild Horse Connection and Least Resistance Training Concepts — Creedence was rushed to Comstock Equine Hospital. There, he received a lifesaving plasma transfusion and intensive care. Thanks to our rescue fund, we were able to make an emergency donation towards his care.
Photo: Creedence is healthy and thriving at WHC
Today, Creedence lives happily at WHC’s facility and is getting all the care and love he deserves!
FUEL MORE RESCUES LIKE THIS ONE
With gratitude,
Team AWHC
Tell the BLM: Stop Using Helicopters to Round Up Wild Horses and Burros
The following is from the American Wild Horse Conservation:
On May 6, 2025, from 1 to 3 PM MST, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) will hold its legally mandated virtual public meeting on the use of helicopters and other motorized vehicles in wild horse and burro management.
This is a critical opportunity for YOU to speak out against one of the most inhumane practices in the federal government’s Wild Horse and Burro Program. Register to speak by May 5, 2025!
Register and Read the Talking Points Here
Can’t attend the meeting? You can still make your voice heard by submitting written comments directly to the BLM:
Helicopter roundups are cruel, costly, and ineffective. Foals, pregnant mares, and older animals are chased over miles of rugged terrain—often in extreme heat—resulting in injuries, trauma, and even death. In one horrifying 2024 incident, a BLM contractor was caught on video kicking a downed horse in the head.
We know there’s a better way.
Humane fertility control offers a cost-effective and sustainable solution that keeps wild horses in the wild and out of overburdened holding pens. The BLM currently spends less than 4% of its budget on this proven conservation method.
The public has spoken—over 100,000 Americans have signed on to a petition calling for an end to helicopter roundups. Now it’s time for the BLM to listen.
Let’s make our voices count on May 6.
For the wild ones,
The AWHC Team
In this week’s eNews: Take action to protect wild horses in the FY2026 budget
The following is from the American Wild Horse Conservation:
From Capitol Hill to your local fashion resell store, there are so many ways to stand up for America’s wild horses and burros right now. Whether it’s contacting Congress, shopping sustainably, or giving early for greater impact, your voice and support are more powerful than ever. Let’s protect our wild herds—together. Read on for ways to take action, shop for a cause, and make your gift go further this season.
Take Action for Wild Horses!
Photo by PhotoAdvocacy
The future of America’s wild horses and burros is at a turning point. Congress is currently considering the Fiscal Year 2026 budget—and we need your voice to ensure it includes critical protections and funding for humane, in-the-wild conservation initiatives.
Upcoming: Buffalo Exchange $1 Earth Day Sale
Don’t miss Buffalo Exchange’s $1 Earth Day Sale happening this Saturday! On this day, at all Buffalo Exchange stores, ALL proceeds from a special selection of $1 clothing will go to AWHC to support our mission of conserving America’s wild horses and burros! So check out your closest Buffalo Exchange and go shopping to protect wild horses.
The Big Day of Giving starts Early!
The Big Day of Giving is Thursday, May 1, but you can start making an impact as early as TODAY, April 17! Early donations help build momentum and directly support AWHC’s work to protect wild horses through advocacy, litigation, and humane fertility control.
Thank you for your continued advocacy.
Team AWHC
Exclusive Webinar: Landmark Court Ruling & The Future of Wild Horse Adoptions
The following is from the American Wild Horse Campaign:
We invite you to join us for an important webinar discussing the recent court ruling that shut down the Bureau of Land Management’s (BLM) Adoption Incentive Program (AIP) and our next steps in promoting responsible wild horse and burro adoptions.
Date: Wednesday March 19th
Time: 2 PM PST
Location: RSVP for the webinar link
This decision is a major victory in our fight to protect wild horses and burros, but with 66,000 animals still in government holding facilities, we must now focus on ensuring adoptions are ethical, transparent, and humane.
Featured Speakers:
Amelia Perrin, AWHC – Led the investigation that exposed the link between the AIP and the slaughter pipeline, culminating in a New York Times front-page exposé and congressional outrage.
Clare Staples, Skydog Sanctuary – Has rescued hundreds of AIP horses and burros from kill pens, saving lives while gathering critical documentation that played a key role in shutting down the program.
Together, we’ll explore solutions—including replacing cash incentives with more responsible approaches like veterinary vouchers—and discuss how we can prevent future policies that put wild horses and burros at risk.
Don’t miss this opportunity to learn more, ask questions, and be part of the movement shaping the future of wild horse and burro protection.
| RSVP NOW |
Thank you for your continued support. We look forward to seeing you there!
Team AWHC
Another Aerial Assault on Wild Burros Begins
The following is from the American Wild Horse Campaign:
Yesterday, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) launched another brutal helicopter roundup in Utah’s Canyonlands Herd Management Area (HMA), targeting at least 100 wild burros. This inhumane operation will terrorize these animals — potentially chasing them for miles across rugged terrain, separating mothers from their young, and condemning many to a lifetime in captivity. Our team is on the ground documenting this inhumane roundup. Will you chip in to help keep us in the field and continue our work to end these roundups once and for all?
Chip in to #HaltTheHelicopters
Photo by Steve Paige.
Roundups don’t just rip families apart — they are deadly, especially for our most vulnerable wild ones. Burros are especially vulnerable to the stress of helicopter roundups. Unlike mustangs, who run from the helicopters, the stoic burros often stand their ground and have to be roped by wranglers on horseback. Weak and elderly animals are in danger of collapse from exhaustion.
The Canyonlands roundup is yet another costly, taxpayer-funded assault on our nation’s wild herds, despite proven, humane alternatives.
Your donation will help us:
Mobilize opposition to this and future helicopter roundups.
Fund legal action to hold the BLM accountable.
Expand humane, science-based fertility control programs to keep our iconic herds wild and free.
The Canyonlands burros don’t have a voice — but you do. Will you stand with them today?
For the wild,
Team AWHC
❗️Urgent Courtroom Update – Wyoming Checkerboard
The following is from the American Wild Horse Campaign:
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Help us protect their home before it’s too late!
The following is from the American Wild Horse Campaign:
As a donor to our mission, you probably have heard about our Land Conservancy Project, the bold initiative we pioneered in 2023.
This program was established to preserve key habitats so our iconic wild herds can live wild and free in ecological balance in America’s western landscapes. The funding devoted to this project supports land acquisition, habitat restoration, and humane treatment of the wildlife that lives there.
This transformative, successful project would not be possible without the generous support from advocates like you. Thank you.
The long-term success of this initiative depends on your financial support. That’s why we’d like you to consider becoming a monthly donor. By giving consistently, you provide American Wild Horse Conservation with steady resources that allow us to protect more of our land, restore more habitats for our wild herds, and safeguard wild horses and burros for generations to come.
| MAKE MY GIFT MONTHLY |
The Bureau of Land Management’s (BLM) own range data indicates that private livestock overgrazing, along with fire and drought, has depleted habitats for all wildlife, including federally protected species like wild horses and burros.
This preventable habitat deterioration is one reason we took a huge step forward by acquiring 3,300 acres of prime habitat within Nevada’s picturesque Carson Valley. The land supports a diverse array of wildlife including the federally protected Fish Springs wild horse herd. We aim to use this innovative project to help set a new conservation standard for wild horse and burro protection. Our dedicated land manager, along with a team of passionate experts, works on the ground, actively tracking wild horse movements, studying the intricacies of the land, and undertaking vital habitat restoration projects.
With your support, we can continue to expand this vital work — securing land, restoring fragile ecosystems, and ensuring wild horses and burros remain free where they belong.
| MAKE MY GIFT MONTHLY |
Thank you again for being a champion for our wild herds,
Team AWHC
Rare Wild Horses Under Attack in Nevada
The following is from the American Wild Horse Campaign:
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The government is rounding up the Devil’s Garden wild horses AGAIN
The following is from the American Wild Horse Campaign:
The wild horses of the Devil’s Garden Plateau Wild Horse Territory in California are once again under threat. This roundup, initiated by the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) in October 2024, has officially resumed with almost no notice and alarming restrictions on public observation. Our observers were only allowed to attend the roundup for two days, and they were restricted from visiting the holding facility where the recently captured horses were held.
Before the observation period started, AWHC sent a legal letter demanding full and transparent public observation of the roundup. When our observers reported even more restrictions while on the ground, we reached out again to the USFS.
Here’s what we know:
- According to the incoming Modoc Forest Supervisor, the new administration has issued a communications freeze and the USFS is not able to post any roundup updates to its website or social media.
- Our observation continued to be restricted at the roundup and the corrals. Without full access or any information shared, the public is fully in the dark and there is no opportunity to hold the government accountable.
Every American taxpayer has the right to witness how the government is treating these iconic animals. And we stand ready to defend that right.
| POWER OUR ACTION |
Devil’s Garden Plateau Roundup by an AWHC observer.
Will you join us in our fight to protect the right to observe government operations? Your support will help us:
- Continue legal efforts to ensure transparency and accountability.
- Provide on-the-ground advocacy to protect wild horses.
- Fight for humane, sustainable conservation practices.
| SUPPORT OUR ADVOCACY |
Together, we can stand up for the wild horses of Devil’s Garden and all our wild herds to ensure they are treated with the respect and care they deserve.
Thank you for standing with us,
Team AWHC
Wild Horses are good for the economy!
The following is from the American Wild Horse Campaign:
Did you know that wild horses are not only iconic symbols of the American West, but also powerful drivers of ecotourism?
Photo by Yasmin Tajik
In a recent article featured in Bustle, the spotlight was on the growing potential of wild horse ecotourism. As word gets out that America’s public lands are home to these iconic animals, people want to travel to them and experience the beauty and freedom of wild horses in their natural habitats.
This isn’t just great news for wild horses and those who love them — it’s great for local economies too! Research shows that thriving wild horse ecotourism could help support local communities, and small businesses like tour operators, hotels, and restaurants near wild horse habitat.
But here’s the thing: This incredible economic and cultural boon is at risk due to the federal government’s mismanagement. And with a new Congress just sworn in, it’s more important than ever that we highlight the role wild horses play — not just as a symbol of our heritage, but as contributors to thriving communities and ecosystems.
American Wild Horse Conservation (AWHC) is fighting to protect these animals and keep them where they belong: in the wild. From implementing humane fertility control programs to safeguarding and enhancing critical habitats, our team is on the ground every day, making a difference for our wild herds.
| DONATE |
Thank you,
American Wild Horse Conservation
93 Lawmakers. 15 Million Advocates. And we’re just getting started…
The following is from the American Wild Horse Campaign:
Over the past couple of years, we’ve chartered new frontiers in the conservation of America’s wild herds. In 2024 alone, we worked with 93 members of Congress to serve as a clear voice for wild horses and burros on Capitol Hill. Last year our grassroots advocacy reached a staggering 15 million people on social media and earned 278 media mentions, which reached an additional 5.4 million viewers. Our team spent nearly 200 days in the field documenting every major government helicopter roundup. We defended wild horses in the court room and preserved their future through humane, science-backed fertility control on the range.
Our work in advocacy, litigation, documentation, and conservation have all led us to this moment — and to our impactful agenda for 2025. This year, our wild herds continue to face serious threats including habitat destruction, federally funded abuse, and more.
| SUPPORT OUR 2025 ACTION |
Our plan for this year is straightforward and impactful, but we know we have challenges ahead. Here’s what we plan to achieve in 2025:
- Protect public lands from competing interests such as private livestock grazing.
- Secure stronger wild horse protections at the state and federal levels.
- Fund humane, science-based wild horse and burro conservation.
- Partner with local organizations to rescue at-risk wild horses.
But we can’t do it alone. Your contribution directly impacts our fight to save wild horses and burros. A gift of $25, $50, $100, or any amount will help us target our advocacy efforts toward key decision-makers, rescue wild horses in immediate danger, and develop innovative programs that balance conservation and public land use.
| SUPPORT OUR 2025 ACTION |
Every dollar makes a difference. Together, we can ensure wild horses continue to roam free across America’s open spaces — just as they were meant to.
Wild horses embody our shared heritage and the spirit of freedom. By donating today, you’re not just supporting a cause — you’re standing with thousands of others who believe in a future where wild horses thrive.
Let’s do this together.
For the wild ones,
Team AWHC
Special Thanks to Wild Horse Champions in the 119th Congress
The following is from the American Wild Horse Campaign:
Both a new administration and a new Congress have been sworn in.
Please join us in celebrating with renewed thanks and congratulations to four members of Congress who have gone above and beyond for America’s wild herds. The following wild horse and burro champions were sworn in earlier this month after being reelected to serve their constituencies:
- Congresswoman Dina Titus (D-NV)
- Congressman David Schweikert (R-AZ)
- Congressman Juan Ciscomani (R-AZ)
- Congressman Steve Cohen (D-TN)
To these members of Congress: Thank you for standing firmly by our side in the fight to reform the Bureau of Land Management’s (BLM) cruel, costly herd management practices. Thank you for your unwavering commitment to protecting these majestic symbols of the American West. Your work on Capitol Hill exemplifies hope and progress toward our mission to preserve the freedom and dignity of American wild horses and burros.
We look forward to continuing this vital work together with the 119th United States Congress.
Will you join us in thanking these members of Congress for their past work and renewing the call for meaningful reform to conserve our iconic wild herds in 2025? Save this graphic to your camera roll and share it on your personal social media accounts. Don’t forget to tag @freewildhorses!
Together, we can keep America’s wild horses free and thriving. Thank you for being an essential part of this mission!
Stay Wild,
Team AWHC
They survived the roundups, but needed a holiday miracle to survive this
The following is from the American Wild Horse Campaign:
Two young fillies — barely a year old — were found in a Texas kill pen this month. This is their story.
The pair survived a traumatic helicopter roundup in California’s Calico Complex last fall, which resulted in 42 deaths. After that, they endured months in federal holding facilities only to be sold through the Bureau of Land Management’s (BLM) Sale Authority Program for just $25. Weeks later, they were nearly lost to slaughter.
Photo by RJF Equine
This tragic story isn’t unique. Thousands of federally protected wild horses and burros are at risk of entering the slaughter pipeline every year.
Thanks to our Rescue Fund and partners at RJF Equine, Inc. and the Oregon Wild Horse Coalition, these fillies got their happy ending. But so many more wild horses and foals still need our help. Our Rescue Fund is critical to stepping up when wild horses face life-or-death moments, and we urgently need your help to sustain it.
$50 → becomes $100 to power rescues
$100 → becomes $200 to fight for their freedom
$250 → becomes $500 to keep them safe
| DOUBLE YOUR GIFT → |
Photo by RJF Equine
Thank you, RJF Equine, Inc., for giving these sweethearts a freedom ride from the kill pen and a safe place to heal before going to their forever home.
Thank you to the Oregon Wild Horse Coalition for helping coordinate their rescue.
Thank YOU, for standing with us to keep America’s wild horses wild, safe, and free.
Happy New Year,
AWHC Rescue Team
P.S. The clock is ticking! All gifts made through midnight on December 31 will be MATCHED, doubling your impact for wild horses in need. Donate today to power rescues like these two fillies’ life-saving freedom ride. Click here to give →
Wild burros need your support more than ever
The following is from the American Wild Horse Campaign:
While the Bureau of Land Management’s (BLM) inhumane treatment of wild horses is often in the spotlight, the welfare of wild burros can be overlooked. At American Wild Conservation (AWHC), we’re fighting to keep the plight of these iconic animals at the forefront, but we’re sad to report that 2024 was one of the worst years for burros in recent history.
Over the course of the year, the BLM used helicopters to roundup over 2,790 wild burros from their homes, including nearly 300 from the Mairetta wild burro range in Nevada.
Burros from the Marietta Wild Burro Range, Nevada
Wild burros are at risk like never before, with the BLM planning to round up even more of these innocent animals next year. That’s why we need to be ready to fight back for them on all fronts, from the courtroom to Congress.
Our photos and videos of the BLM’s cruel helicopter roundups have sparked public outrage and prompted numerous members of Congress to speak out against them. Please chip in to our End-of-Year goal to help us continue standing up for wild burros in 2025!
Unlike wild horses who run into the trap site in their family groups, wild burros are stoic and often stand their ground in the face of the helicopters or scatter in an attempt to avoid capture. As a result, roundups can be even more traumatic and taxing for these incredible animals.
But helicopters aren’t the only cruel tactic the BLM employs — BLM contractors have gone so far as to use electric cattle prods on burros, such as during the Black Mountain roundup in 2022. The BLM’s own Comprehensive Animal Welfare Program (CAWP) assessment of the roundup detailed one contractor abusively hitting, kicking, striking, and beating a captured burro.
| HAVE YOUR GIFT DOUBLED → |
Thank you,
AWHC
$30 today to save a life tomorrow
The following is from the American Wild Horse Campaign:
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The cost of litigating freedom
The following is from the American Wild Horse Campaign:
We are the voice of America’s wild horses and burros the courtroom, fighting tirelessly to protect these iconic animals from cruel and unlawful government actions. Thanks to your support, we’ve made remarkable progress in holding the Burea of Land Management (BLM) accountable through legal challenges — and our fight is far from over.
Your donation to our Policy and Litigation Fund empowers us to pursue justice for wild horses and burros in the courtroom and in Congress. Through litigation, we’ve already challenged the BLM’s harmful actions. Every contribution we receive before midnight on December 31 brings us closer to ensuring a future where these animals can roam free.
| FUND OUR LEGAL WORK |
Here are a few examples of our recent legal victories and ongoing litigation efforts:
- Wyoming’s Checkerboard Area: For over a decade, we’ve been engaged in a hard-fought battle to prevent the BLM from eradicating wild horses from over two million acres of habitat in Wyoming. After a disappointing decision from the lower court, we quickly filed an appeal to the Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals. Our legal team has laid out a compelling case, and we’re fighting to protect these herds and keep them free from unnecessary roundups.
- Devil’s Garden Wild Horse Territory: In California, we’ve filed an objection to a flawed management plan that continues to impose outdated population limits on the Devil’s Garden herd. This is an area where we’ve expanded habitat, yet the United States Forest Service (USFS) has failed to adjust its restrictions to reflect the increased resources available for these horses. This is just one example of how we’re taking action to ensure that wild horses are treated fairly and kept free from outdated, restrictive policies.
- FOIA Investigations: We also regularly use the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) to investigate BLM policies and programs. With over a dozen active FOIA lawsuits against the agency, we’re demanding transparency and exposing abuse, fraud, and waste within federal programs affecting wild horses and burros.
Will you support us in this fight? Your donation to our Policy and Litigation Fund will fuel these ongoing cases and ensure we have the resources to keep fighting for justice.
| FUND OUR LEGAL WORK |
With your help, we’ll continue to challenge the BLM’s unjust actions and secure a future where wild horses and burros remain free and protected on public lands.
Thank you for being a part of this crucial fight. Together, we can win for our wild herds.
Warmly,
Amelia Perrin
American Wild Horse Conservation
Where advocacy meets action →
The following is from the American Wild Horse Campaign:
As you know, America’s wild horses and burros are under constant threat of brutal helicopter roundups and loss of their freedom on public lands. But the American Wild Horse Conservation (AWHC) is making meaningful progress in Washington D.C. to secure a brighter future for these iconic animals. Your contributions to our Policy and Litigation Fund are driving real change and helping us fight for the protections they deserve.
| DOUBLE YOUR GIFT |
Here are a few examples of transformative legislation AWHC has worked to advance in 2024:
- Wild Horse and Burro Protection Act: AWHC is driving support for this bill, which would end the inhumane use of helicopters in roundups. Already, over 20,000+ letters have been sent to Congress thanks to our grassroots efforts.
- SAFE Act: This critical bill would permanently ban horse slaughter plants in the U.S. and prohibit the transport of American horses to slaughterhouses abroad.
- Ejiao Act: By stopping the U.S. import and sale of ejiao, a gelatin made from donkey hides, this legislation would make a significant impact on the global donkey skin trade.
| POWER OUR POLICY AND LITIGATION WORK |
We work tirelessly to build bipartisan support in Congress that protects America’s wild horses and burros. Through this intentional coalition-building and strategic advocacy, we’ve achieved meaningful victories for America’s wild herds.
One notable success is securing language in both the House and Senate’s Fiscal Year 2024 spending bills that advances humane fertility control programs and directs up to $11 million in federal funding away from inhumane roundups.
As you can see, our government relations work is critical, but it takes significant resources to keep our momentum up. With 2025 shaping up to be a pivotal year — and with the BLM planning to round up more than 11,000 wild horses and burros — we need your support now more than ever.
Will you help us reach our $200,000 goal by midnight on December 31?
| POWER OUR POLICY AND LITIGATION WORK |
Your contribution to our Policy and Litigation Fund supports:
- Lobbying efforts on Capitol Hill.
- Advocacy for humane, science-based solutions like fertility control.
- Grassroots campaigns to amplify public pressure on Congress.
- And more…
| POWER OUR POLICY AND LITIGATION WORK |
Together we can make change,
Team AWHC
P.S. Stay tuned for another email this afternoon for more information about how your contributions to our Policy and Litigation Fund are funding critical work in the courtroom. And click here to donate now →